Chihayafuru (2011)
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野村友里恵 — Background Designer
Episodes 18
From the Crystal White Snow
Chihaya, Taichi, and Arata visit the local Shiranami Karuta Society and meet the chairman, Harada, and a member who's their age, Kinashi Hiro (Retro-kun). When Harada sees them playing against Retro-kun in a team Genpei match, he realizes Chihaya's talent and invites her to join. After Harada tells Chihaya that learning the poems is like making 100 new friends, she begins to realize her own dream.
Read MoreA Whirlwind of Flower Petals Descends
Arata returns with his family to Fukui after his grandfather falls ill. The three of them believe that as long as they continue to play karuta, they will be reunited. Now in high school, Chihaya has entered a tournament to qualify for Class A so Taichi will help her start a karuta club. Once Taichi sees how Chihaya is enjoying herself, he finds himself being swayed—
Read MoreThe Sky is the Road Home
The Mizusawa karuta club has advanced to the finals to face a regular fixture at the national tournament, Hokuo Academy. As the match begins, Mizusawa is unable to go on the offensive, and Chihaya is distracted when her opponent, Sudo, begins to taunt her. However, she soon learns to play as a team, that every card she takes is a point for the team...
Read MoreSets These Forbidden Fields Aglow
After qualifying for the national tournament, the Mizusawa karuta members attempt to bolster their weaknesses. Chihaya and Taichi practice with the Shiranami Society while Porky, Desktomu-kun and Kana-chan practice with the Suihoku Karuta Society. Chihaya is overwhelmed by the pressure of the national tournament, but then she receives support from an unexpected source.
Read MoreFor You, I Head Out
The Mizusawa High School Karuta Club members visit the Omi Jingu shrine to pray for their victory. However, Chihaya is acting strangely during her match. Meanwhile, Arata reflects upon his separation from karuta and his grandfather as he heads towards Omi Jingu.
Read MoreFor There Is No One Else Out Here
Chihaya has recovered in time for the individual tournament. Players are grouped by their rank, and the youngest Queen in history, Wakamiya Shinobu, is in the Class A bracket, and Chihaya's second round opponent. Chihaya is overwhelmed by the Queen's ability and unable to take a single card. As she's about to give up, she remembers her first match against Arata back in grade school—
Read MoreThe Plum Blossoms Still Smell the Same
Chihaya finally gets to play her first Class A match, while the other members are looking to advance their rank through a strong tournament showing. Chihaya's opponent Kanai Sakura, who has 35 years of karuta experience. Chihaya is faster, but she has trouble taking cards. Her opponent constantly moves cards into positions that are difficult for her, and Chihaya soon realizes how tough Class A is. Will Chihaya be able to learn something from her match with Sakura?
Read MoreThe Night is Nearly Past
Chihaya lost to Yumi by four cards. The loss is a painful one, but after watching Dr. Harada and Tsuboguchi play their hearts out, she realizes she still has much to learn. Meanwhile, Arata lost in the fourth round of the West qualifier. He regrets spending time away from karuta and practices hard to make up. Both of them are learning and taking the next step forward.
Read MoreNobody Wishes to See the Beautiful Cherry Blossoms
The Mizusawa karuta club is watching the Queen match and Master match at Taichi's home. The Queen has put on a great deal of weight, which makes it difficult for her to move as Yumi successfully takes cards away from her. Will the Queen be dethroned?
Read MoreBe as dear now, those were the good old days
The final two teams in the competition is a repeat of Mizusawa vs. Hokuo. Chihaya wants to challenge them straight up, no tricks. A player on the Hokuo team will make sure it happens.
Read MorePeople would always ask if I was pining for someone
Mizusawa and Akashi's match has reached the tipping point and each side starts winning games; the pressure between Chihaya and Megumu have captivated the crowd.
Read MoreMy fear is that you will forget
A new found passion has brought Misuzawa back into the fight, as Chihaya herself tries to fight through the pain of her injury.
Read MoreI do not know where this love will take me
Three wins for the victory. Taichi's declaration provides encouragement to the remaining players. The Mizusawa karuta club uses all of their experience and practice to fight to the end.
Read MoreBut its legacy continues to spread
Chihaya has injured her right hand, so she's forced to play with her left. Her first opponent is Yuube, from Akashi First Girls. Chihaya struggles to take cards with her left hand. Will she be able to make it past the first round?
Read MoreLong Last We Meet
Chihaya has advanced to the quarterfinals. Her opponent is the Queen, Wakamiya Shinobu. Chihaya decides to go all in and use her injured right hand. How will Shinobu respond? How will Chihaya fare?
Read MoreTo see the beautiful cherry blossoms
The Class A Finals pit Arata vs Shinobu, Class B is between Taichi and Rion in the same area where Komano is participating in the Class C Final. Chihaya is stuck between supporting Taichi and Komano or experiencing the match between Arata and Shinobu.
Read MoreWhen I must hide...
With a packed house watching who could be the new King and Queen, Chihaya and Taichi are ushered in by Sakurazawa. The atmosphere is tense; who will win?
Read MoreI can look up and see the snowy cap of Mt. Fuji
With winners and losers riding emotional waves, Chihaya is sent a video of the Class A final, and while watching, it stirs of memories of playing Karuta with Arata.
Read More